OAR 461-120-0210: Requirement to Provide Social Security Number (SSN)

(1) In the Refugee Assistance (REF) and Refugee Assistance Medical (REFM) programs, an individual is not required to provide or apply for a social security number (SSN) to be included in the need group (see OAR 461-110-0630) or benefit group (see OAR 461-110-0750). In these programs, the Department may request that a member of the filing group (see OAR 461-110-0310) or need group provide an SSN on a voluntary basis. (2) In the Emergency Assistance (EA) and Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors (TA-DVS) programs, an individual must provide their SSN if the individual can. (3) Except as provided in section (6) of this rule, to be included in the need group or benefit group in the Medicare Savings Programs (see OAR 461-001-0000) or Oregon Supplemental Income Program Medical (OSIPM), an individual must do one of the following: (a) Provide a valid SSN for the individual (b) Apply for a number if the individual does not have a valid one and provide the SSN when it is received. (4) Except as provided in sections (7) and (8) of this rule, in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to be included in the need group or benefit group , an individual (other than an unborn) must: (a) Provide a valid SSN for the individual; or (b) Apply for a number if the individual does not have one and provide the SSN when it is received. (5) In the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, to be included in the need group or benefit group : (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, an individual must: (A) Provide a valid SSN for the individual; or (B) Provide verification of application for an SSN if the individual does not have one and provide the SSN within six months of the individual’s initial TANF approval. (b) A child (see OAR 461-001-0000) born in an Oregon hospital is eligible for TANF benefits for up to six months from the child's date of birth. (c) The requirement to provide an SSN, or verification of application for SSN, may be waived or postponed for up to six months for any member of the need group if the requirement would put a survivor of domestic violence (see OAR 461-001-0000) at risk. (6) In the Medicare Savings Programs and OSIPM, an individual is not required to apply for or provide an SSN if the individual meets one of the following requirements: (a) Is not eligible to receive an SSN. (b) Does not have an SSN and may only be issued an SSN for a valid non-work reason in accordance with 20 CFR 422.104. (c) Refuses to obtain an SSN because of well-established religious objections and both of the following are true: (A) The individual is a member of a recognized religious sect or division of the sect. (B) The individual adheres to the tenets or teachings of the sect or division of the sect and for that reason is conscientiously opposed to applying for or using a national identification number. (7) In the SNAP program, an individual is not required to apply for or provide an SSN if the individual is --- (a) A member of a religious sect or division of a religious sect that has continuously existed since December 31, 1950; and (b) Adheres to its tenets or teachings that prohibit applying for or using an SSN. (8) In the SNAP program, the requirement to apply for or provide the SSN is delayed as follows: (a) An applicant eligible for expedited services may receive their first full month's allotment without meeting the SSN requirement but must meet the requirement before receiving a second full month's allotment. (b) Before applying for or providing an SSN, a newborn may be included in a benefit group for six months following the date the child is born or until the next recertification of the benefit group , whichever is later. (9) In the SNAP program: (a) An individual who refuses or fails without good cause (see subsection (c) of this section) to provide or apply for an SSN when required by this rule is ineligible to participate. This period of ineligibility continues until the individual provides the SSN to the Department. (b) An individual may participate in SNAP for one month in addition to the month of application, if the individual can show good cause why the application for an SSN has not been completed. To continue to participate, the individual must continue to show good cause each month until the application for an SSN is complete with the Social Security Administration (SSA). (c) An individual meets the good cause requirement in subsections (a) and (b) of this section if the individual provides evidence or collateral information that the individual applied for or made every effort to supply the SSA with the necessary information to complete the application process. Delays due to illness not associated with a disability (see OAR 461-001-0015), lack of transportation, or temporary absence do not qualify as good cause under this rule. (10) This rule authorizes or requires the collection of an SSN for each of the following purposes. (a) The determination of eligibility for benefits. The SSN is used to verify income and other assets, and match with other state and federal records such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Medicaid, child support, Social Security benefits, and unemployment benefits. (b) The preparation of aggregate information and reports requested by funding sources for the program providing benefits. (c) The operation of the program applied for or providing benefits. (d) Conducting quality assessment and improvement activities. (e) Verifying the correct amount of payments, recovering overpaid benefits, and identifying any individual receiving benefits in more than one household.